The Year 8 Football team kept the unbeaten run going with matches against John O’Gaunt School and Trinity School. St Bart’s won their first match against John O’Gaunt, 5 -2. Goals were scored by Tommy (x2), Adam, Evan and Zach. St Bart’s then played their final league match of the season against Trinity, which was a well contested game that finished 1-1. The goal was scored by Adam. Player of the afternoon was awarded to Tom for his great defending throughout both games.

This means that St Bart’s are West Berkshire league champions, winning four matches and drawing one! Well done to all students who have played their part in the football season so far.

Year 8 boys also won the 3^rd round of the County Cup, 9-1 against Furze Platt Senior School. St Bart’s started the game well taking an early lead. The strong start continued until half time with the score 6-0 going into the break. The start of the second half was more evenly contested with Furze Platt scoring the first goal of the half. However, St Bart’s regained control and scored three more goals to win the match 9-1. Goals were scored by Tommy (x3), Adam (x2), Zach, Alex, Evan and Tyler. Player of the match was awarded to Adam for his constant pressing and for scoring two goals.

Well done to all involved.

Congratulations to the Year 7 boys’ football team who represented the school in the Berkshire County Cup Semi Final v Little Heath School.

The match was a very close one between two very good sides. Little Heath went ahead with two very well taken early goal opportunities. St Bart’s came back in the second half with an excellent team goal, and for a long time it looked as though the game could go either way. Little Heath scored again directly from a corner in the last part of the match, and the final score was St Bart’s 1 – Little Heath 3.

Players of the match (holding match balls) were centre back, Freddie Dancey, for his excellent defence, and centre midfielder and captain, Baxter Finch, for his work rate in the middle of the pitch and leading by example.

The boys should be extremely proud of finishing in the last four in the county in their first year at St Bart’s. The future of football looks bright.

On Wednesday 12 March, our U13 Girls’ Football team played their County Cup quarter-final tie against St Bernard’s School. Sadly, we were without our star keeper Freya (Year 7) due to injury so a huge shout-out to Freya (Year 8) and Izzy who stepped up and volunteered to play in goal for us. St Bart’s started brilliantly, controlling play but couldn’t quite find a goal.

Just before half-time, Freya hit a great strike that cannoned off the back of a defender to make it 1-0. We felt we needed the second goal to kill the game off, but immediately after half-time, poor Hattie scored an unfortunate own goal. However, this didn’t stop our girls from dominating and our centre back Lucia scored 2 in quick succession, both from attacking excellent corners put in by Amy. Out of nowhere, with less than 10 minutes to go, St Bernard’s gained some momentum and made it 3-3. With only minutes to go, Jessie grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, receiving the ball from kick-off and driving forward, dribbling the entire length of the pitch to square it for Olivia who managed to get enough on it to send the ball trickling over the line for 4-3! The girls then defended brilliantly for the last few minutes to send us into the semi-final for the first time in our U13 Girls Football history! A fantastic effort from all the girls who never gave up and deservedly went through!

Our Year 13 team played their last game representing St Bart’s on Wednesday, many of them having played since Year 7. They played Kennet School and got off to a strong start with numerous interceptions from Eva and Scarlett to allow Sophie to showcase her accurate shooting, giving Bart’s an early 5-0 lead. Immy, India and Lucy linked well in centre court, ensuring the ball had a safe path to goal, half time score 12-6.

Anna came on in the second half and her connection with Goal Attack, Mya, pulled Bart’s even further ahead. The final score was 22-10. Players of the match were Sophie and Lucy. Thank you girls for making St Bart’s proud for all these years!